Beat the competition. Go global. Influence government. Persuade customers. Increase shareholder value. These are among the pressures to perform in today’s business environment, and the consequences of failure can be dire. Leaders must stay ahead of competitors and deliver results, all while trying to do the right thing by employees, customers, communities, and other stakeholders. Yet the opportunities to cross ethical boundaries are widespread and compelling. What are leaders learning as they face these challenges? Over a dozen of today’s most influential leaders-people who grapple with ethical dilemmas on a near-daily basis-share real-world perspectives from the trenches, showing the breadth of ethical challenges facing today’s leaders in a variety of industries and professional fields.
Leaders on Ethics is a window into the minds of some of our most prominent leaders. It features first-hand presentations by CEOs and other nationally known executives, originally given to their peers during discussion forums at The Southern Institute for Business and Professional Ethics. In addressing subjects ranging from marketing with a conscience to promoting workplace diversity to dealing with the implications of globalization, these leaders provide a wide variety of perspectives on the ethics of leadership. Along the way, they reveal successes and failures and present lessons learned in navigating the tumultuous waters of today’s society.
The following leaders, among others, share their experiences in facing-and facing down-ethical dilemmas and challenges:
James Copeland, recently retired chairman and CEO of Deloitte & Touche, discusses ethics in public accounting and the uncertain future of big accounting firms.
Karen Katen, president of Pfizer Human Health and vice chairman of Pfizer, on ethical issues in the pharmaceutical industry. ; Ed Zinbarg, retired chief investment officer and chief administrative officer of Prudential Life Insurance Company, on what businesses can learn about ethics from the world’s major religions.
Steve Odland, chairman and CEO of The Office Depot and chair of the corporate governance task force of Business Roundtable, on what corporations are learning about best practices in ethical governance.
; Deval Patrick, former executive VP, corporate secretary and general counsel of The Coca-Cola Company, former general counsel of Texaco, and now the governor of Massachusetts, on globalization and corporate accountability.
Debra Waller, chairman and CEO of Jockey International, on the ethics of using sexual images to sell apparel to young people. ; Jack Ward, chairman and CEO of Russell Corporation, on the challenge of managing workforce diversity.
John Wieland, founder and CEO of John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, on the ethical challenges he encountered in developing an entrepreneurial firm.
Framed by insightful commentary by ethics and leadership expert John Knapp, this volume illuminates ethical leadership in action, and its timeless principles will serve to inspire and guide aspiring leaders, students, and entrepreneurs for decades to come.
